Tuvalu is sinking

Tuvalu, the smallest nation on earth is disappearing into the Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu is a group of atolls, none of which are more than five metres above sea level. Within a very short time these atolls will all be submerged as sea levels rise because of global warning and climatic change. One island has already disappeared.

Rev Tofiga Falanii from the Congregational Church of Tuvalu was one of the overseas guests at Assembly. He said his country of only 10,000 people, most of whom are Christian, are desperately in need of help. “Our government hasn’t done much to prepare for this catastrophe,” he told Assembly members today, “but it is time to voice our concern for survival.”

Assembly agreed to ask the Australian government to immediately sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocols on global warning. It also asked the government to guarantee special immigration status to the people of Tuvalu when their nation is no longer habitable.

Last month the past president Rev Prof James Haire and Rev Elenie Poulos of UnitingJustice met with the Minister for Immigration. He understood the issues and was concerned the Tuvaluans knew Australia cared for them, but indicated Australia could only be the lead country of those who will accept them as immigrants. However, splitting the Tuvaluans amongst many countries would be like splitting the members of one family and the Tuvaluans would lose their unique identity.